Choice Case Studies Database

Elizabeth had been involved with Mental Health Services regularly for three years. She took her first overdose at the age of twelve. She had regularly used inpatient and Day Hospital Facilities.

She finally accessed our Alcohol Team, because she recognised that her alcohol use was harming her and becoming out of control. She was using, at the time, over 100units of alcohol a week, drinking daily. She was also prescribed an antidepressant, a hypnotic and a benzodiazepam. Later we found out that she was also using another benzo. based drug which is highly addictive.

Following a year with us she made very clear choices to seek appropriate therapy, stop all her medication and have an inpatient withdrawal from alcohol.

She also chose not to continue to overdose and bravely addressed her abusive family. She was unemployed for three years but then felt able to make the choice to return to work. She also decided to move house as it reminded her of bad things.
We would see it as important therapy, to encourage her to make these lifestyle choices.

She moved away from mental health services and into our service.
Because clients are not given labels in our service, this frees them up to be whom they choose once they have learnt new coping mechanisms.
Within Mental health she had a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and Alcohol Dependence

She chose to use therapy, cognitive behavioural groups and individual work, rather than medication and admissions to mental health services, choosing wellness over a lifetime of mental ill health caused by childhood and ongoing family abuse.

Alcohol addiction is a long-term condition and the client needs to have the right space and encouragement to make the choices necessary for lifestyle change. Many of our clients come via Mental Health and then choose to take on the challenge of 'wellness'.
There are also others who cling to their diagnoses rather than face the more difficult path of therapy and facing their fears. This is also their choice.